Reynolds hoping that Ortiz gives him a call

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

ATLANTA -- Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds joked on Saturday that he's trying to get Red Sox slugger David Ortiz's phone number, because, if nothing else, he'd take a stylish plane ride back home at the All-Star Break.

"I want to get on a Show flight back to Arizona, at least," Reynolds said. "So I can go home."

Of course, there's another reason that Reynolds is trying to track down Ortiz, as Boston's designated hitter is the first-ever American League captain of this year's Home Run Derby, and will extend three personal invitations to participate. Ortiz is the defending champion, having won the 2010 Home Run Derby in Anaheim, while National League captain Prince Fielder -- who will also select three candidates -- won the previous year in St. Louis.

"I would definitely do it," said Reynolds, who entered Saturday with a team-leading 15 home runs and is widely considered to have some of the most power in the Majors.

Reynolds hasn't heard from Ortiz yet, but manager Buck Showalter said that he wouldn't have a problem if his third baseman spent part of the break in his old stomping ground.

"I don't know how much it would change Mark's swing, do you?" Showalter quipped. "I'm all right with it."

The 2011 Home Run Derby will take place on Monday, July 11 at Chase Field in Phoenix at 8 p.m.(ET). A new element of this year's Derby format will be the team competition between the two leagues, and participants no longer have to be limited to just players on the All-Star rosters. Each of the captains will select a charity for which to hit during the Derby.

Tidbits

 Cesar Izturis (elbow surgery) started baseball activities on Saturday, while Showalter said that Brian Roberts (concussion) had a good day in extended spring training and could start hitting in the next few days.

 Zach Britton was under the weather the last few days, but Showalter confirmed that he will start on Sunday. Monday's opener in Texas is tentatively scheduled to be Chris Jakubauskas, while Wednesday it will be Jeremy Guthrie.

 Tuesday's starter is to be determined, and the O's options include long relievers Jason Berken, Alfredo Simon and Brad Bergesen, as well as Triple-A Norfolk's Mitch Atkins.

 Justin Duchscherer, on the DL with hip and back injuries, will see team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens on July 11.